Starting in March of next year (2025), Las Vegas – which is well-known for its vibrant nightlife and lavishness in the variety of available entertainment, is looking forward to establishing itself as a major destination for sports and entertainment. Although the city’s college basketball enthusiasts have always been drawn to the NCAA basketball tournament, popularly known as March Madness, a new competition is expected to enhance the already exciting basketball scene.
First announced by AEG and FOX Sports, the College Basketball Crown will make its Las Vegas debut the following year, adding a big event to the city’s already-packed sports schedule. The MGM Grand Garden Arena and the T-Mobile Arena, two legendary locations, will host the event, which is scheduled to run from March 31 to April 6. Fans and players can expect an exciting environment during the tournament.
The College Basketball Crown, in contrast to the NCAA Basketball Championship, will feature a 16-team playoff tournament with teams from the Big Ten, Big East, and Big 12 conferences that did not make it to the NCAA tournament. Two automatic qualifiers from each of these conferences will advance to the tournament, and extra-large teams will be chosen by a committee to ensure a competitive field.
The College Basketball Crown is important due to its strategic scheduling as well as the fact that it gives collegiate teams more opportunities. In order to maximize attendance and engagement, the College Basketball Crown title game will take place on a day off between the NCAA Final Four and the championship game, following the start of the NCAA tournament. This strategic placement ensures heightened visibility and excitement, attracting both fans and top Basketball betting sites alike.
College sports are experiencing a fast transformation, as seen by phenomena such as the college transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, the College Basketball Crown appears as a pioneer. Along with FOX Sports, the tournament promises great benefits for participating colleges.
The College Basketball Crown’s support by conference commissioners highlights the importance of the college basketball scene. Tony Petitt, the Big Ten Conference Commissioner, praised the tournament as an “exciting postseason opportunity” for student-athletes, fans, and coaches throughout the country, indicating universal support for the event.
The launch of the College Basketball Crown coincides with Las Vegas’ growing status as a sports destination. The city was already known for events such as the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), and the city has significantly expanded its sports offering. Las Vegas currently has a competitive group of professional sports teams, including the NHL’s Golden Knights and the NFL’s Raiders.
